Obituary Mr Colin Cameron

Press, 21 May 1982, Page 18

Obituary Mr Colin Cameron

Colin Fraser Cameron, a Christchurch artist and art teacher for many years died in Christchurch Hospital on Tuesday evening after a long illness. He was aged 66. A well-known artist who exhibited all over New Zealand, Mr Cameron developed the popular style of the late 1960 s and early 1970 s of working with oils and a palette knife instead of a brush, and he was one of the first artists in the district to do so. Mr Cameron completed his Canterbury Arts School course in 1935 and joined the printing firm of Coulls, Somerville, Wilkie (now part of Whitcoulls). He was the first artist to be employed by the firm, and when the company expanded, he was appointed head artist.

While at the printing firm, Mr Cameron became known for his design and super-

vision of the production of the Sanitarium health cards and albums associated with Weetbix packets. In 1947, Mr Cameron was appointed art teacher at Christchurch Technical College, and in 1955 he was appointed head of the art department, a position he held for 10 years. It was at the Technical College that Mr Cameron met his wife, Hazel, a home science teacher. When the Technical College amalgamated with Hagley High School, Mr Cameron became head of the new art department at Hagley, and remained there until his retirement in 1975. After his retirement, Mr Cameron was tutor for adults taking the Fine Arts Preliminary Course at Hagley High School. For many years during his teaching career, Mr Cameron

was one of the judging panel for the Secondary Schools Art Exhibition.

Two of his paintings are in the McDougall Art Gallery permanent collection. “Mr Cameron’s quiet approach, impeccable manners, and kindly nature are personal features we will recall with affection,” an article in the Hagley High School “Review” said on his retirement in 1975. A newspaper review of one of his exhibitions praised “his masterly knowledge of oil and watercolour," and his "rare sensitivity.” His work was “proof that everyday subjects, when seen and interpreted through an artist’s eyes, form pleasing pictures, glowing with life and vitality.”

Mr Cameron is survived by his wife, a son, and two daughters.